• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.280-290
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• 2017

Several lines of evidence suggest that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is known to regulate the ER stress signaling pathway, but its role in neuronal systems in terms of ER stress remains largely unknown. Here, we showed that rotenone-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma cell lines and mouse primary cortical neurons was ameliorated by PTP1B inhibition. Moreover, the increase in the level of ER stress markers ($eIF2{\alpha}$ phosphorylation and PERK phosphorylation) induced by rotenone treatment was obviously suppressed by concomitant PTP1B inhibition. However, the rotenone-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was not affected by PTP1B inhibition, suggesting that the neuroprotective effect of the PTP1B inhibitor is not associated with ROS production. Moreover, we found that MG132-induced toxicity involving proteasome inhibition was also ameliorated by PTP1B inhibition in a human neuroblastoma cell line and mouse primary cortical neurons. Consistently, downregulation of the PTP1B homologue gene in Drosophila mitigated rotenone- and MG132-induced toxicity. Taken together, these findings indicate that PTP1B inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic approach for ER stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.281-286
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• 2002

To understand the cytotoxic mechanism of $MPP^+,$ we examined the involvement of ceramide in $MPP^+-induced$ cytotoxicity to human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. When SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to $MPP^+,\;MPP^+$ induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity accompanied by 2-fold elevation of intracellular ceramide levels in SH-SY5Y cells. Three methods were used to test the hypothesis that the elevated intracellular ceramide is related to $MPP^+-induced$ cytotoxicity: $C_2-ceramide$ was directly applied to cells, sphingomyelinase (SMase) was exogenously added, and oleoylethanolamine (OE) was used to inhibit degradation of ceramide. Furthermore, inhibition of ceramide-activated protein phosphatase (CAPP), the effector of ceramide, using okadaic acid (OA) attenuated cell death but treatment of fumonisin $B_1,$ the ceramide synthase inhibitor, did not alter the cytotoxic effect of $MPP^+.$ Based on these, we suggest that the elevation of intracellular ceramide is one of the important mediators in $MPP^+-induced$ cell death.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.222-229
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• 2009

Our previous finding that pre-initiation treatment of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) represents a chemopreventive effect in dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis has prompted us to test the global expression of genes at an early stage. Rats were continuously fed 300 ppm I3C in their diet at 6 weeks of age and were injected with DMBA at 7 weeks of age, and were sacrificed at 8 weeks of age. Global gene expression analysis using oligonucleotide microarrays was conducted to detect altered genes in DMBA- or DMBA plus I3C-treated mammary glands. Altered genes were identified by fold changes of 1.2 and by t-test (P<0.05) from the log ratios of the hybridization intensity of samples between control (Group 1) and DMBA (Group 2), and from those of samples between DMBA (Group 2) and DMBA plus I3C (Group 3). From these genes, we chose altered genes that were up- or down-regulated by DMBA treatment and recovered to the control level by I3C treatment. For early stage of carcinogenesis, I3C treatment induced the recovery to normal levels of several genes including cell cycle pathway (cyclin B2, cell division cycle 2 homolog A), MAP signaling pathway (fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, platelet derived growth factor receptor, beta polypeptide), and insulin signaling (protein phosphatase 1, regulatory (inhibitor) subunit 3B and flotillin 2), which were up-regulated by DMBA treatment. In addition, I3C treatment induced the recovery to normal levels of several genes including those of MAPK signaling (transforming growth factor, beta receptor 1 and protein phosphatase 3, catalytic subunit, beta isoform), which were down-regulated by DMBA treatment. These results suggest that the targeting of these genes presents a possible approach for chemoprevention in DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.389-400
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• 2001

Previous studies have demonstrated an increase in bone mass and density with the use of bisphosphonate in osteoporosis. This agent acts as an inhibitor of osteoclastic activity, and results in increase of net osteoblastic activity. Currently, it has been reported that bisphosphonate has direct effect on osteoblast. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of alendronate on bone regeneration in defect of rat calvaria. The animals used for these experiments were 48 male rats, over 6-8 weeks old. They were divided into three groups according to the dose of alendronate($MK-217^{(R)}$, Merck, USA) administered. After the calvarial defects were surgically created, the rats received a peritoneal alendronate(0.25mg/kg) in group I, a peritoneal alendronate(1.25mg/kg) in group II, and a peritoneal normal saline injection in the control group. Three and six weeks later, blood was sampled and evaluated for alkaline phosphatase activity. The animals were sacrificed for histological observation and histometric analysis of the level of bone formation. The alkaline phosphatase activity was similar in three groups at 3 weeks of experiment. The activity at 6 weeks increased more than twice, compared to 3 weeks, and was slightly higher in group I than the other two groups. In histological observation, all the groups at 3 weeks, osteoblast rimming and new bone formation were observed along the defect margin. At 6 weeks, the defect was almost closed with new and more mature bone, but new bone is thinner than original bone in the central portion of defect. In histometric analysis, group I and II at 3 weeks showed significantly greater new bone formation than the control, and all the groups at 6 weeks showed similar amount of bone formation. These result suggest that alendronate administration in the dose of 0.25mg/kg and 1.25mg/kg promote osseous regeneration.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2021

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a principal regulator of inflammation and immunity. The proinflammatory properties of TNF-α can be attributed to its ability to activate the enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂), which generates potent inflammatory lipid mediators, eicosanoids. L-glutamine (Gln) plays physiologically important roles in various metabolic processes. We have reported that Gln has a potent anti-inflammatory activity via rapid upregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphatase (MKP)-1, which preferentially dephosphorylates the key proinflammatory enzymes, p38 MAPK and cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂). In this study, we have investigated whether Gln could inhibit TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ activation. Gln inhibited TNF-α-induced increases in cPLA₂ phosphorylation in the lungs and blood levels of the cPLA₂ metabolites, leukotrine B4 (LTB4) (lipoxygenase metabolite) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (cyclooxygenase metabolite). TNF-α increased p38 and cPLA₂ phosphorylation and blood levels of LTB4 and PGE2, which were blocked by the p38 inhibitor SB202190. Gln inhibited TNF-α-induced p38 and cPLA₂ phosphorylation and production of the cPLA₂ metabolites. Such inhibitory activity of Gln was no longer observed in MKP-1 small interfering RNA-pretreated animals. Our data indicate that Gln inhibited TNF-α-induced cPLA₂ phosphorylation through MKP-1 induction/p38 inhibition, and suggest that the utility of Gln in inflammatory diseases in which TNF-α plays a major role in their pathogenesis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.659-664
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• 2011

As part of the search for biologically active anti-osteoporotic agents that enhance differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, we identified the ginsenoside Rh2(S), which is an active component in ginseng. Rh2(S) stimulates osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization, as manifested by the up-regulation of differentiation markers (alkaline phosphatase and osteogenic genes) and Alizarin Red staining, respectively. Rh2(S) activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in time- and concentration-dependent manners, and Rh2(S)-induced differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic cells were totally inhibited in the presence of the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. In addition, pretreatment with Go6976, a protein kinase D (PKD) inhibitor, significantly reversed the Rh2(S)-induced p38 MAPK activation, indicating that PKD might be an upstream kinase for p38 MAPK in MC3T3-E1 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that Rh2(S) induces the differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells through activation of PKD/p38 MAPK signaling pathways, and these findings provide a molecular basis for the osteogenic effect of Rh2(S).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.456-466
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• 2000

Aquaperin 4 (AQP4) is the mercurial water channel expressed abundantly in brain, especially the region related with cerebrospinal fluid reabsorption and osmoregulation. The primary structure of AQP4 water channel was elucidated but the molecular mechanism of AQP4 channel regulation is still unknown. To investigate the possible regulation of AQP4 water channel by phosphorylation via various protein kinases, osmotic water permeability of AQP4 expressed in Xenopus oocytes was measured by videomicroscopy technique. Forskolin (10 $\mu$M) did not affect osmotic water permeability of oocytes injected with AQP4 cRNA, excluding the regulation of AQP4 water cnannel by protein kinase A. Osmotic water permeability (P아래첨자) of AQP4-expressed oocytes was ingibited by the pretreatmeat of BAPTA/AM (up to 500$\mu$M), an intracellular Ca윗첨자 chelator, and calmidazolium (100$\mu$M), a specific Ca윗첨자/calmodulin antagonist, in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of osmotic water permeability (P아래첨자) by the calmidazolium treatment was completely reversed by the addition of calyculin A (0.1$\mu$M), a nonspecific phosphatase inhibitor. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C activator, had biphasic effects on osmotic water permeability in AQP4 cRNA injected oocytes depending on its concentration; 21% increase by 100 nM PMA, 35% decrease by 1$\mu$M PMA. These effects were reversed with 2$\mu$M staurosporine, a nonspecific PKC inhibitor. These results suggest that phosphorylation of AQP4 water channel by Ca윗첨자/calmodulin kinase and protein kinase C might regulate the osmotic water permeability.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2016

Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is a potent inducer of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) is involved in skeletal development and bone remodeling. Here, we investigated the role of Dkk1 in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. We found that overexpression of BMP9 induced Dkk1 expression in a dose-dependent manner, which was reduced by the P38 inhibitor SB203580 but not the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Moreover, Dkk1 dramatically decreased not only BMP9-induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity but also the expression of osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) and matrix mineralization of C3H10T1/2 cells. Furthermore, exogenous Dkk1 expression inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling induced by BMP9. Our findings indicate that Dkk1 negatively regulates BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation through inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and it could be used to optimize the therapeutic use of BMP9 and for bone tissue engineering.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2008

The leaves of Acanthopanax species have traditionally been used as a tonic and a sedative as well as in the treatment of rheumatism and diabetes. Chiisanoside is the major active lupane triterpenoid of Acanthopanax leaves. To investigate the bioactivities of chiisanoside, which act on bone metabolism, the effects of chiisanoside on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were studied. Chiisanoside $(0.02{\sim}20\;{\mu}M)$ significantly increased the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells and caused a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen content, and nodules mineralization in the cells (P < 0.05). The effect of chiisanoside (2 ${\mu}M$) in increasing ALP activity was completely prevented by the presence of tamoxifen, suggesting that the effect of chiisanoside might be partly estrogen receptor mediated. Moreover, cotreatment of p38 inhibitor SB203580 or JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited chiisanoside-mediated ALP upregulation, suggesting that the induction of differentiation by chiisanoside is associated with increased activation of p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases. Our data indicate that the enhancement of osteoblast function by chiisanoside may result in the prevention for osteoporosis.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.324-329
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• 1995

The phylogenetic relationships between Cheju native horses and Tsushima native horses were studied by protein polymorphism analyses in 16 gene loci (Trypsin inhibitor: Ti, Chymotrypsin inhibitor: CTi, Albumin: Al, Esterase: Es, Transferrin: Tf, Hemoglobin: Hb, Catalase: Cat, Esterase D: EsD, Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase: GOT, Glyoxalase I: GLO I, Acid phosphatase: AcP, Superoxide dismutase: SOD, Lactate dehydrogenase: LDH, Hexokinase: HK, Malate dehydrogenase: MDH, Malic enzyme: ME). All allelic patterns of the protein loci, except 5 loci (SOD, LDH, HK, MDH, ME), were polymorphic in both two populations. Gene frequencies of the polymorphic loci of the population of Cheju native horses were higher than those of Tsushima native horses. Average heterozygosity in Cheju native horses was 0.375, showing higher than that of Tsushima native horses (0.304). The Da distance and gene identity of two populations were 0.108 and 0.868, respectively. The phylogenetic tree constructed by these results and those previously reported in other horse populations, consisted of three clusters. From this phylogenetic tree, it could be suggested that Cheju native horses and Tsushima native horses had diverged from the Mongolian wild horse (Equus prsewolskii).